CANADA OPENS CALI WORLD CUP WITH TOP-10 PERFORMANCES
CALI, February 18, 2017. – Team Canada recorded three top-10 performances on the opening day of the third round of the Track World Cup on Friday, in Cali, Colombia.
The Women’s Team Sprint squad of Rio Olympian Kate O’Brien (Calgary, AB) and Amelia Walsh (Ayr, Ontario) finished seventh overall, with former BMX athlete Walsh competing in her first ever international competition after only nine weeks in the sport.
“I wasn’t sure how it was going to work out,” admitted O’Brien. “I was in a new position as the second rider so it was good to test it out with Walsh. It’s a bit terrifying to be the veteran now, but I have to step up and embrace the role.”
In the Men’s Team Sprint, Rio Olympian Hugo Barrette (Iles de la Madeleine, QC) was joined by two first time World Cup riders, Stefan Ritter (Edmonton, AB) and Patrice St-Louis-Pivin (Sherbrooke, QC). The trio managed to finish ninth overall, with Barrette recording the fastest split of any rider in qualifying.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve competed so I was nervous,” said Barrette. “It’s a new team but we pulled it off; we rode in the 44s [seconds], which is pretty amazing for Canada. Against some world-class teams we were ninth; of course we wanted to qualify for the next round, but I’m really proud of the progress we’ve done since the beginning of the season – it’s only been four months that we have been together. My ride I felt fast, I had the best second lap against some great sprinters.”
In individual competition, Stephanie Roorda (Vancouver, BC) had a strong finish in the four event Women’s Omnium to take eighth overall. In the final Points Race, Roorda won two intermediate sprints to move up from 11th in the standings after three events.
“In the final race I felt that I didn’t have anything to lose, being so far back on points,” said Roorda. “Physically I’m not feeling 100%; I had a cold last week. So I just wanted to finish the Omnium off on a good note and get ready for the Team Pursuit on Saturday.”
